Kerstin Lindell is the new Consul for the Netherlands in Southern Sweden. As such she recently joined the Dutch Chamber. We asked her to introduce herself to our members.

My name is Kerstin Lindell and I have been CEO of Bona for almost 12 years now. Previously I worked as R&D Manager at Akzo Nobel Insustrial Wood Coatings. I have been living in Limhamn (Malmö) for 25 years, am married and have two children. My education is a MSC Chem Engineering, PhD Polymer Chemistry and MBA.

Could you tell a little bit more about your company Bona?Bona AB is a family-owned company founded in 1919. With its headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, Bona is now present in more than 90 different countries all over the world through subsidiaries and distributors. We provide products for the installation, maintenance and renovation of wood floors throughout their lifetime and we also supply UV coatings to leading international producers of wooden floors. Through our comprehensive Bona System, we are able to offer our customers complete solutions for every wooden floor challenge. We continuously develop innovative products with a long-term sustainable perspective in mind. So we take into account not just the floor itself but the working conditions of the craftsman and the impact on the indoor and outdoor environment.

What is your connection with the Netherlands?I worked for Akzo Nobel for 14 years so I have good working experience with the Netherlands.

What does your assignment as Consul for the Netherlands entail? Do you have any specific ambitions to achieve?I hope to support the Embassy in Stockholm with activities and an understanding of what is happening in South Sweden.

What are your expectations concerning the Dutch Chamber of Commerce? And escpecially for the region South?The Dutch Chamber of Commerce is a very important area of interaction both with activities for all Sweden and especially South Sweden.

I was not surprised when it was announced that Kerstin Lindell is the new Consul for the Netherlands in Southern Sweden. Her educational background is quite impressive and I really believe that she deserves the position. Being a consul entails a lot of responsibilities, that's why I believe she can carry it very well. It will always be challenging because a position will always be hard to carry. But her personality would be great.